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Authorities warn residents to stay away from riverbanks

While many will enjoy the unseasonably warm temperatures this weekend, conservation authorities are cautioning residents to stay away from riverbanks.

South Nation Conservation is warning that banks will be slippery, ice weaker and rivers flowing more rapidly.

Rainfall Friday — the freezing kind — and more expected Saturday will add more water to the river levels, but the Raisin Region Conservation Authority isn’t expecting local waterways to flood.

“I expect (the rivers) have enough room they can absorb the melt,” said Phil Barnes, water resources engineer with the RRCA.

“As temperatures are forecasted to return to freezing by Monday, severe flooding and ice jamming are not a concern at this time, however nuisance flooding in low-lying areas may be observed,” said a release from the SNC.